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Marco's names new president

Jan. 23, 2018

Marco's Pizza has promoted former COO Tony Libardi to president as the pizza chain approaches the opening of its 1,000th store during its 40th anniversary year.

Libardi will ramp up the company's focus on people, product and process to uphold the brand promise and take the company to new heights, a news release said. His focus will center on employee development, franchisee support, maximizing technology and maintaining steady and rapid growth.

According to the release, key initiatives at Marco's will include the addition of franchise advisory boards, the unveiling of a new restaurant prototype and a celebration of the brand's Italian heritage as it approaches its anniversary.

"Marco's Pizza is only as successful as the people behind the brand," Lombardi said in the release. "As I step into this new role, my energies will focus on building future leaders at the corporate and store-level to accelerate our success in becoming a premier 1,000-plus unit company."

Prior to joining Marco's Pizza in 2014, Libardi spent 10 years running a $1 billion division at Burger King, and leading a restaurant portfolio of 750 locations as U.S. company operations vice president. He will remain focused on streamlining, simplifying internal processes and building relationships, the release said.

"I am confident Tony will be a driving force behind the continued success of Marco's Pizza as we head into a new era," CEO Jack Butorac said. "With a deep understanding of the Marco's culture, he's been responsible for upgrading many of our systems and culture. His commitment to the 'people' element of our mission is authentic, and will be what keeps us strong and growing long-term."

The chain opens a new store on average every three days and aims to have 1,500 locations open by 2020, the release said.